The Rockport City Council voted on several agenda items Aug. 13, 2024, most of them routine or following staff recommendations. The actions below summarize formal votes and approvals taken during the meeting.

Key approved items

- Solid waste fees (Ordinance 1941, first readings): Council approved changes driven by Republic Services’ contract CPI pass‑through; staff said the net increase to residential customers is about $1.10 per month. The ordinance covers fee schedule updates and includes a 6% franchise fee and small administrative fees. Vote: unanimous.

- Rezone 2022 FM 3036 (Ordinance 1943, first reading): Council approved changing property from B‑1 (General Business) to R‑2 (two‑family residential) following a unanimous Planning & Zoning recommendation; council discussed proximity to existing homes and traffic but approved the rezoning. Vote: unanimous.

- Convention & Visitors Bureau advisory board (Ordinance 1944, first reading): Council established a CVB advisory board to oversee city tourism functions; council added a chamber seat as a voting member to the board. Vote: unanimous.

- Tree mitigation expenditures (Ordinance 1945, first reading): Council added a requirement that tree mitigation fund expenditures above $2,000 require council approval; city manager may approve smaller expenditures. Vote: unanimous on first reading.

- Special events ordinance (Ordinance 1940, second/final reading): Council approved revised rules replacing the parade article with a consolidated special events article and set the effective date to Oct. 1, 2024. Vote: unanimous.

- Hotel occupancy tax awards (Resolution 2024‑18R): Council approved hotel‑occupancy tax allocations and the list of city awards and recipients discussed at a prior special meeting. Vote: unanimous.

- Grant consultant and administrator selections (Resolutions 2024‑19R etc.): Council selected Anchor QEA as design engineer and Langford Community Management as grant administrator for a potential GLO Coastal Management Program Cycle 30 grant (award pending) as part of the project procurement process. Vote: unanimous (one abstention recorded on Anchor QEA selection by Ward 3).

- Emergency purchase for Gagon lift station: Council approved emergency procurement to replace an electrical control panel and two submersible pumps damaged during Tropical Storm Alberto; staff said the city filed an insurance claim for potential reimbursement. Vote: unanimous.

Process notes

Most items had limited public debate. Several items were recommended for denial by staff but were approved after Planning & Zoning recommended approval (for example the CUP for 2562 FM 3036). The council repeatedly emphasized review of related ordinances and code language when similar requests reappear.

Ending

Staff will return with ordinance language for first/second readings (where required), implement emergency procurement work, and continue public outreach for the budget and tax‑rate public hearing set for Aug. 27.